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Giardiasis
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Giardiasis (jee-are-DIE-uh-sis) is an infection of the
bowel (intestines). Without medicine, it may take as long as 1
month to get better.
Causes
The infection is caused by a
parasite called Giardia (jee-ARE-dee-uh) lamblia (LAM-blee-uh)
found in dirty water. You can get the infection from drinking
the water itself or eating uncooked food that has been rinsed
in it. The disease spreads easily from one person to
another.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms usually start about 1 to
3 weeks after the parasite gets into your body. They include
sudden diarrhea and stomach cramps; loose, bulky, and bad
smelling stools; an upset stomach that comes and goes; fever
(not common); and weight loss. There are often no signs or
symptoms at all.
Care
Your doctor will need one or more
stool samples in order to pinpoint the cause of the problem.
You will need medicine to kill the parasite. You also will need
to drink plenty of liquids. If you lose too much body water
with your diarrhea, you may need a stay in the hospital to get
IV fluids.
Risks
Without treatment, persistent
diarrhea can rob the body of the vitamins and minerals you need
to stay healthy. You may lose too much weight. There is also a
danger of losing too much body water and salts. If this
dehydration becomes too severe, it can lead to dangerous
complications.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Take the medicine prescribed to get rid of the
Giardia exactly as directed.
-
Do NOT use any over-the-counter drugs for diarrhea
unless your doctor recommends them.
-
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses (soda-can sized) of
water or other liquid each day.
-
Wash your hands well with soap and water every time
you go to the bathroom and before you touch food. If you
have a child in diapers, wash your hands after each diaper
change.
-
To avoid getting giardiasis again:
-
Don't drink water from streams, even if it looks
clear and clean. Boil any water that is not safe or treat
it with a chemical purifier.
-
Wash or peel fruits and vegetables before
eating.
-
Stay away from crowded or unclean living
conditions.
-
Everyone in contact (household and sexual) with an
infected person should be seen by a
doctor.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
Your diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours after starting
treatment.
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You lose a lot of weight during
treatment.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have blood in your stools.
-
You have severe pain or bloating in your abdomen or
rectum.
-
You begin showing signs of water loss (dehydration),
such as dry mouth, increased thirst, little or no urine,
and feelings of dizziness or
light-headedness.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: You may be hooked up to a pulse
oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger,
or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the
oxygen in your blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Stool Sample: Your doctor may need to send a sample
of your stool to the lab. The sample can confirm the cause
of the illness and determine which medicine you
need.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Strict Intake/Output: Nurses will carefully watch
how much liquid you are drinking or getting in your IV.
They will also measure how much you are
urinating.
-
Daily Weight: You will be weighed
daily.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed to get
up.
-
Medications: Drugs will be prescribed to fight the
infection. They may be given by IV, in a shot, or by
mouth.
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